Whereupon the king signaled promptly the headsman.
Said the king to the second of these, "Can you sit in a rocking-chair without rocking?"
"Yes, your majesty," replied the fellow.
Whereupon the king signaled promptly the headsman.
Said the king to the third of these, "Have you ever used a hair tonic of any kind?"
"No, your majesty, never!" replied the fellow.
Whereupon the king signaled promptly the headsman.
And to this day the post of Lord of the Exchequer is vacant.